Reactions and statements from the international community
The cruise ship Celestyal Discovery has reportedly successfully navigated through the Strait of Hormuz.
Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, criticized the Islamic Republic officials for their "absolute silence" regarding negotiations with the United States following Abbas Araghchi's announcement about the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The agency questioned why the details of the negotiations and recent developments are not transparent to the public if it is in the country's interest to keep them confidential.
Fars and Tasnim news agencies reported that Iran may close the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. naval blockade continues, citing an official close to Iran's Supreme National Security Council. U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the naval blockade would persist until a comprehensive agreement is reached, while a senior Iranian official told Reuters that commercial ships, including American ones, can currently pass through the strait freely.
Fars News Agency, affiliated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, demanded explanations from Islamic Republic officials regarding their silence following Abbas Araghchi's announcement about the liberation of passage in the Strait of Hormuz and subsequent messages from former US President Donald Trump. The agency noted that Iranian society is confused by the lack of clear communication from officials on the matter.
The IDF released a summary of 40 days of operations against Iran, stating that all objectives were achieved, including the elimination of 28 senior commanders, destruction of roughly 250 air defense systems, and taking out 60% of ballistic missile launch platforms. Over 4,600 airstrikes were conducted in Tehran alone, striking more than 4,000 targets.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz of Germany announced on Friday that Germany is prepared to participate in a mission to ensure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, with U.S. participation described as "desirable." Merz indicated that Germany could contribute to mine detection and clearance operations and stressed the importance of U.S. involvement in the mission.
According to Iranian reports, the Strait of Hormuz is not freely open, and a source close to Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf states that any reopening will be subject to three conditions: traffic diversion through Iranian territorial waters via Larak Island, limitation to commercial vessels only with Iranian approval and security tolls, and full coordination and oversight by the IRGC Navy.
The United Kingdom and France have announced an independent mission to protect freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as a strictly peaceful and defensive operation to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance. Italy has also indicated it will provide naval units for the mission.
Donald Trump announced on Truth Social that Iran has agreed not to close the Strait of Hormuz again and is removing sea mines with U.S. assistance, following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran that disrupted global financial and energy markets.
The official Fars News Agency, citing a source close to the Islamic Republic's National Security Council, stated that if the maritime blockade continues, it will be considered a violation of the ceasefire, and the Strait of Hormuz will be closed. The Islamic Republic has set conditions for reopening the strait, including restrictions on military vessels and ships from hostile countries, and requires passage coordination with Iranian forces.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron announced the launch of a multinational mission to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz following Iran's decision to reopen the waterway, during a meeting with representatives from 49 countries in Paris. More than a dozen countries have offered financial assistance for the mission, which will be "purely peaceful and defensive" to secure commercial shipping and support minesweeping, according to Starmer.
The price of U.S. crude oil fell 10 percent to around $85 per barrel, while Brent crude dropped 8 percent and fuel oil prices declined 13 percent following the announcement of the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
